Electrically-operated track switch



April 20,1926. 1,581,608

S. S. STOLP ELECTRICALLY OPERATED TRACK SWITCH Filed Dec. 12 1925 2Sheets-Sheet 1 I 9.1mm, 64/72/51. 5. 6701,]?

April 20 ,'192e.- i 1,581,608

, s. s. STOLP I BLECTRICALLY OPERATED TRACK SWITCH Filegl Dec. 12. 19232 Sheets-Sheet 2 LS/ /EL 6701.1?

Patented Apr. 20, 19245.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL S, STOLI, OF MANSFIELD, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE OHIO BRASS COMPANY,

OF MANSFIELD, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

ELECTRICALLY-OPERATED TRACK SWITCH.

Application filed December 12, 1923.. Serial No. 680,150.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL S. S'roLr, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at Mansfield, in the county of Richland and State ofOhio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in anElectricallyOperated Track Switch, 01": which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to electrical systems and more particularly to thatclass of systems for the automatic operation of track switches.

The object of my invention is to produce a system in which the trackswitch can be controlled by the operator on an electrically operated carwhereby he may throw the switch to either straight ahead or to a curveposition at will by operating the controller in such a manner as tosupply.

current to the motors operating the car or to deprive them of current.It is the further object of this inventionthat while operating as abovethat the current which open ates the system will be continued to the system for a predetermined length of time in order to assure the trackswitch being thrown in the proper direction; to prevent. the burning outof certain coils, later described, by means of which the switch tongueis moved providing the car should stand in cooperative relation with thesystem beyond the aforesaid predetermined time; and to prevent amovement of the switch tongue in the wrong direction after having beeninitially moved to the proper direction.

In the drawings accompanying this specitication Fig. l is a diagrammaticview showing the principle upon which is based the system of operationby a moving vehicle.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic View of the system as such embodying myinvention with the various operating parts in normal position as whenthe system is not being employed to operate the track switch. It will beunderstood that the switch tongue in the normal position may be throwneither to the straight ahead or curve position.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the arrangement of the variousparts and ter the system has been engaged by the cur rent collector fora predeterminedtime with power off the motors.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view showing the relation of the variouspartsand cir-' cuits .when the system is engaged by the current collectorwith power on the mo tors.

Referring to Fig. 1 the electric cars are usually equipped with acurrent collector IV supported on the car by means of a trolley pole Tand from which circuits lead to various apparatus mounted upon the car.These may comprise heaters H, lights L, air compressors F, drivingmotors M and controller C by means of which current is applied to or cutoff from the motors M, all circuits leading to the ground. Current isliable to flow through the heaters, lights and air compressorsirrespective of whether the controller C is on or oft, and as thecurrent through these apparatus, which I will term the auxiliarycurrent, is liable to be or" considerable amount as compared with thecur rcnt'which may flow through the motors M, consideration must begiven to this auxiliary current in the design of the parts orarrangement of .my system and which will be explained hereinafter.

The system is so arranged that if the operator desires to go in acertain direction he turns his controller to the on position, which Iwill hereinafter term the power on position, and if he desires to go inthe opposite direction at a switching point he will turn his controllerto the off position, which I will term the power off position. I haveshown the system so arranged that if the operator desires to go straightahead he will turn his controller to the power off position and if hewishes to take the curve he will turn hiscontrollei to the power onposition.

Referring now to Fig. 2, I will explaii the same which embodies apreferred arrangement of my system. Positioned adjacent the trolleyconductor 1 is a pan P provided with two parallel and normally insulatedcontact members 2 and 3 which are adapted to be engaged by the currentcollector WV on a passing vehicle and under which circumstances themembers 2 and 3 are then electrically connected. The relativearrangement of the trolley conductor and contact members is such thatwhen the current collector engages the pan P the wheel will be out ofengagement with the conductor 1 and remain out of engagement until thecollector passes off the pan P. The electrically operated track switch Scomprises a switch tongue i, and two operating solenoids 5 and. 6 and aplunger 7 connected to the tongue 4. When the solenoid 5 is energizedthe plunger 7 is drawn inwardly and the tongue 4; moved to the straightahead position as shown in Fig. 3, and when the solenoid 6 is energizedthe plunger 7 is moved outwardly and the tongue is moved to the curveposition as shown in Fig. 2. Each solenoid has a terminal connectiondesignated as 8 and 9 respectively, and which have a common groundconnection 10. i

I employ also an electrically operated switch A having a winding 11 uponits core and a switch arm 12 which operates between the contacts 13 andl t but which is normally in engagement with the contact 13. The coil 11which is of comparatively few turns and heavy wire has its terminalsconnected to the trolley wire 1 by the conductor 15 and to the contactmember 3 by the conductors 16 and 17 respectively. This permanentlyconnects the members 1 and 3 together at all times and supplies currentthereby to the system when the contact members 2 and 3 are engaged bythe collector and also supplies current to the motors M if the vehiclepasses the pan P with power on. It the current collector engages thecontacts 2 and 3 with power on a heavy flow of current will pass fromthe trolley wire 1 to the contact 3 through the coil 11 and then throughthe car motor circuit to ground, and this current will be sufficient sothat the core of the switch A will pick up the switch arm 12 intoengagement with the contact l l. If, however, the engagement is madewith power OK the current flowing through the coil 11 will not besuflicient to cause the switch arm 12 to be moved. In designing theswitch A account must be made of the auxiliary car currents as they mustalso pass through the coil 11 and will add to that which passes throughthe motors. The auxiliary currents may at times be quite large and,therefore, the coil 11 must be designed with this in mind and so thatthe ampere turns of the coil 11 based on the auxiliary current, will notbe sufficient to pick up the arm 12 when the collector engages the pan Pwith power oil.

I also employ an electrically operated switch B provided with a coil 18,a switch arm 19 and contacts 20 and 21. This switch is norm-ally in anopened position. The coil 18 has one terminal connected to the contactmember 2 by the conductor 22 and the other terminal has a groundconnection 23. I have shown the gi'oundconnection leading directly tothe ground, but it may be led to any other conductor in the system whichwill give it a ground without interfering with the operation of theswitch B as hereinafter described. The switch arm 19 is connected to thetrolley wire 1 by means of the conductors 24 and 25 or the conductor 25may be connected to the conductor 15. The current flowing through theconductor 25 may amount to six to ten amperes depending upon theresistance of the solenoids 5 and 6. The resistance of the coil 18 maybe quite high so as to reduce the current flowing therethrough to asmall value. Whenever the contact members 2 and 3 are bridged by thecollector W either with power on or power off the coil 18 is energizedthereby picking up the switch arm 19 which then engages with thecontacts 20 and 21. The contact 20 is connected to the switch arm 12 bymeans of the conductors 26 and 27. The arm 19 will be held in engagementwith the contact 20 as long as the collector is in engagement with thepan P.

As I desire to maintain the switch B in a closed position for apredetermined time and as the current collector may engage and leave thepan P before the predetermined time has elapsed, I provide the switch Bwith a time factor so that the arm will not drop as soon as thecollector leaves the pan. This may be done in various well known ways,as for instance, by means of a copper sleeve 28'as shown, or surroundingthe coil 18 or by making the arm 19 of a magnetic material and having itengage the core of the coil 18 thereby depending upon residual magnetismto hold the switch up for a predetermined time after the collectorleaves the pan, or a combination of these means, or I may employ otherwell known means. It is desirable to maintain the switch B closed for afull predetermined time, as the current which energizes the coils 5' and6 is controlled by this switch which is normally open and sufficienttime for the flow of current through the solenoids 5 and 6 must be givento properly saturate these solenoids in order to positively move thetongue 4.. Leading from the contacts 13 and let are circuits leading tothe solenoids 5 and 6 respectively. In the circuit leading to the coil 5I insert an electrically operatedswitchC for controlling this circuitandwhich 1s normally closed. The object of this switch is to open thecircuitto the solenoids 5 if the current collector engages the pan P fortoo long a time. I prefer to design the solenoids 5 and 6 with as high adegree of efficiency as possible and this will mean that if current issupplied to them for too long a time they are liable to burn out. Iinsert the switch C in the circuit leading to the solenoid 5 as it isthis solenoid which is liable to be effected if the collector engagesthe pan P for too long aftime, as this is liable to happen when thecollector coasts with the power off position and then stops with thecollector in contact with the pan. It is quite unusual for the collectorto engage the pan with power on and then stop on the pan and, therefore,I protect the solenoid 5 with the switch G.

The circuit leading from the contact 13 to the solenoid 5 comprises theconductor 29, switch arm 30, and conductor 31. The switch C comprisestwo duplicate coils 32 and 33 connected up for, differential operation.One terminal of each coil is connected to the switch arm 30 by theconductor 34. The other end of the coil 32 is connected to the conductor26 by means of the conductor 35 and the other end of the coil 33 isconnected to the conductor 25 by means of the conductor 36. Theoperation of the switch C consists in normally energizing the coil 33sasthis coil is connected at all times to the source of power through theconductors 25 and 36 and to the ground through the conductors 34, 31,solenoid 5 and conductors 8 and 10 and this maintains the switch 30closed with the contact 37 under normal conditions. The coil 32 isenergized only when the switch B is closed. As soon as the switch B isclosed the switch arm 30 is then connected directly with the source ofpower and is of substantially the same potential as the source of power,therefore, there is no difference of potential between the source ofpower and the switch arm 30, and as the terminals of the coils 32 and 33are connected to the source ofpower and the switch arm 30 there will beno flow of current through either coil 32 or 33 when the arm 19 isclosed. Therefore, there will be no energizing current in the coils 32and 33 and as soon as the residual magnetism in the core of the switch Chas been sufliciently reduced the arm 30 will drop. As soon as the arm30 drops it is then disconnected from the source of power andthere isthen a full difference of potential between the source of power andswitch arm 30 and current will flow through both coils 32 anc 33 inopposite directions and maintain the switch C open as long as the switchB is closed. In other words, the switch C is opened after apredetermined time after the closing of the arm 19 by the shortcircuitingof the coils 32'and 33 and is maintained open by differentialaction of the coils 32 and 33 as long as the arm 19 remains closed, butas soon as the arm 19 opens the coil 32 is de-energized and the arm 30raised through the continued energization of the coil 33.

The contact 14 is connected to the solenoid in some manner should becomestalled with the contact in engagement with the pan P, current wouldcontinue to flow through the solenoid 6 as long as the collector engagedthe pan P, but this is a veryremote condition of operation and might betermed an accidental operation and can be taken care of by designing thesolenoid 6 so as to withstand a flow of current for a greater length oftime than the solenoid 5. The solenoid 40 can be eliminated in whichcase current will be supplied to the solenoid 6 only for such time asthe collector is in engagement with the pan P with power on. a

The resistance of the coils 32 and 33 is made veryhigh, possibly 10,000ohms, or: more each, so that the current flowing therethrough and intothe circuit 31 will not. be

sufficient to interfere with the operation of the solenoid 5. g I i Theoperation ofmydevice is as follows: If the car operator desires to movestraight ahead when he approaches a switching point, he will throw hiscontroller to power off and. coast past the pan P which is locatedshortly in advance of the switch tongue 4. The moment the collector Vengages the pan P .current will flow from the trolley conductor 1through the parts 15, 11, 1c, 17, .3, W, 2, 22, 18 and 2a. This willenergize the coil 18 and close the switch arm 19 with the contact 20.Ourrent will then immediately flow from the trolley wire 1 through theparts 25,. 24, 19, 20, 26, 27, 12, 1s, 29, a7, 30, 31, 5, s and 10 andthe solenoid 5 will be energized thereby moving the switch tongue 4 tothe straight ahead position and the various parts will assume thecondition shown in Fig. 3. As soon as the arm 19 closes the coil 32 isconnected in the circuit as described and the switch C will operate-todrop the switch arm 30 aftera predetermined time thereby cutting oficurrent through the solenoid 5. The condition of the parts will be asshown in Fig. 4:.

As soon as the collector has left the pan P the coil 18 will bedeenergized and after a lapse of time the arm 19 will open and the arm30 immediately closed thereafter thereby placing the parts in a normalposition as shown in Fig. 4.

If the operator in coasting past the pan P with power oli should stopwith the collector on the pan, the switch arm 19 will remain closed aslong asthe contactor engages the pan and the switch arm 30 will remainopen for this period thereby protecting the solenoid 5 from burning out.In order to move ahead, however, it will be necessary for the operatorto turn his controllerto power on and this will then tend to throw aheavy current through the solenoid 11, as previously explained, and thiswould cause the arm 12 to be raised and the currentwould then flowthrough the solenoid 6 and set the switch in the wrong direction.Therefore, in order to prevent a false operation, I connect the contact21 with the coil11 through the medium or the conductors 41 and 16. Thisplaces a substantial shunt across the coil 11 so that the current whichwould pasjs'through the car circuits will be divided between thecircuits 15, 11, 16, 17, 25, 24, 19, 21, 11. This will preventsuflicient flow or current through the coil 11 to operate the arm 12into engagement with the contact 14.

If the operator desires to take the curve he will pass the pan P withpower on in which case the heavy current flowing through the coil 11will cause the arm 12 torbe pickedvup and simultaneously the switch 20will be closed and currentwill.

flow through the coil 10 and solenoid 6 thereby energizing the switch Ato hold the arm 12 in a raised position, and energizing the solenoid 6to move the track switch to the curve position and the parts will assumethe position shown in Fig. 5. As soon as the collector has passed overthe pan P the coil 18 is deenergize d, the arm 19 will drop after apredetermined time, the coil 40 will be de energized likewise thesolenoid 6 and the arm 12 will drop. During this cycle of operation thearm 30 will likewise drop as the time factor of the switch B ispreferably greater than that of the switch C thereby eliminating arcingat the contact 20.

If the coil 40 is not used and the circuit 88 connected to the circuit39 and a time factor of dropping the arm 12 'is incor porated in theswitch A, which is somewhat greater than the time factor for the openingof the switch 0, then the danger of the arm 12 dropping and closing thecircuit to the solenoid 5 before the arm 19Ydrops would be avoided,because the switch C would open prior and protect the solenoid 5 frombeing energized and throwing the switch in the wrong direction.

There will, of course, be many modifications which will suggestthemselves to those skilled in the art which will still be within thescope'of my invention and I do not wish to be limited otherwise than bymy claims.

, circuits to energize the track switch operating means to move thetrack switch in one direction or the other, electrical operating meansconnected to one or the contact members and to the trolley conductor tocontrol said switch, a switch in the power circuit to' normally maintainthe circuit open, electrically controlled operating means to close theswitch and having a connection to the other contact member, means todelay the opening of the last said switch after closing, an electricallyoperated switch in one of the branch circuits to normally close thecircuit and to open after a predetermined time after the closing of thenormally open switch and ground connections for the system.

2. A switch operating system comprising, a trolley pan having twocontact members to be electrically connected by a current collector, a'trolley conductor, a track switch,

electrical operating means therefor, a power circuit leading from thetrolley conductor to the track switch operating means to operate theswitch in either of two directions, an electrically operated switchconnected to the pan for operation to control the direction of operationof the track switch, a normally open electrically operated switchelectrically connected to the pan for controlling the power circuit andhaving means to delay the opening of the switch after closing, and anormally closed electrically operated switch in the power circuit tocontrol said circuit and operating to open the circuit after apredetermined time after the normally open switch has closed the same,the normally closed switch having a time factor not to exceed that ofthe normally open switch.

3. A switch operating system comprisin a trolley pan having two contactmembers to be electrically connected by a current collector, a trolleyconductor, a track switch,

electrical operating means therefor, a power trically connected to thepan for controlling the power circuit and having means to delay theopening of the switch'at'ter closing, and a normally closed electricallyoperated switch in the power circuit to control said circuit andoperating to open the circuit after a predetermined time after thenormally open switch has closed the same.

4. A switch operating system comprising in combination, a trolley panhaving two contact members to be engaged by a current collector, a trackswitch and electrically con trolled operating means therefor, a powercircuit to supply current to the track switch operating means and havingbranch circuits leading to the operating means, a selector switchautomatically connecting the power circuit to one or the other of thebranch circuits to energize the track switch operating means to move thetrack switch in one direction or the other, electrically controlledoperating means .to control the said switch, a normally open switch inthe power circuit, electrically controlled means to close the normallyopen switch when and to remain closed while and regardless of the timethe pan is engaged by a collector, and means to delay the opening of thenormally open switch after the collector leaves the pan.

5. A switch operating system comprising in combination, a trolley panhaving two contact members to be engaged by a current collector, a trackswitch and electrically controlled operating means therefor, a. branchedpower circuit to supply current to the track switch operating means andleading to the operating means, a selector switch automaticallyconnecting the power circuit to one or the other of the branch circuitsto energize the track switch operating means to move the track switch inone direction or. the other, electrically controlled operating means tocontrol the said switch and a normally open switch in the power circuit,an operating coil to close the normally open switch when and to remainclosed while and regardless of the timethe pan is engaged by a collectorand having its terminals connected to a pan contact and to the ground.

6. In a switch operating system the com bination of a contact pan to beengaged by a current collector, atrolley conductor, an electricallyoperated track switch, a power circuit leading to the track switch, anelectrically operated selector switch for controlling the direction ofoperation of the track switch, a normally open switch controlling thepower circuit, means to close the normally open switch when thecollector engages the pan and maintain the switch closed regardless ofthe time the collector engages the pan and a normally closed andelectrically operated switch to open the power circuit at another pointafter a predetermined time afterthe collector engages the pan.

7. The combination with a track switch operating system adapted to workpower on and power oil the system to move the gardless of the length oftime current is supplied to the system and to open after a predeterminedtime after the collector disengages the contacts and the system isdeprived of current.

8. In a switch operating system the combination, of a contact panhaving'two con tact members, a trolley conductor,a track switch,electrical means to operate the switch in either of two directions, anormally open power circuit having an electrical connection with thetrolley conductor and having branch circuits connected to the switch operating means, a switch to control the connection of the power circuitto the branch circuits to operate the track switch in difterentdirections and having electrical operating means connected to onecontact memher and the trolley conductor, a switch for closing thenormally open power circuit when the contact members are engaged by acurrent collector, electrically operated means to close the last saidswitch connected to the other contact member and having a groundconnection, and an electrically operated switch normally closing one ofthe branch circuits and having a pair of coopcrating coils to controlthesaid switch and so connected to the system as to open after apredetermined time after the closing of the previous circuit and remainopen as long as the normally open power circuit switch is closed and toclose whenthe said switch is opened.

' 9. In a switch operating system the combination, of a pair of contactmembers to be connected by a current collector, a trolley conductor, anelectrically operated track switch, a normally open power circuit havingbranch circuits connected to the track switch, a circuit controllingswitch connecting the power circuit to the branch circuits to operatethe track switch in either of two directions when the contact membersare engaged by the current collector with either power on or power off,an electrically operated switch to close the normally open power circuitwhen the contact members are engaged by the current collector and tomaintain the switch closed while the contact members are engagedregardless of the length of engagement, and electrically operated meansto open one ofthe branch circuits after a predetermlned time if thecoling branch circuits connected to the track switch, a circuitcontrolling switch connecting the power circuit to the branch circuitsto operate the track switch in either of two directions when the contactmembers are engaged by the current collector with either power on orpower off, an electrically operated switch to close the normally openpower circuit when the contact members are engaged by the currentcollector and tomaintain the switch closed while the contact members areengaged regardless of the length of engagement, and electricallyoperated means to open one of the branch circuits after a predeterminedtime if the collector engages the contact members too long and to closeafter the opening of the switch controlling the normally open powercircuit.

11. In a switch operating system the combination, of a trolleyconductor, a trolley pan to be engaged by a current collector, an

electrically operated track switch, circuits leading to the trackswitch, a normally open power circuit, a switch controlling theconnection of the power circuit to the first said circuits to operatethe switch in the desired direction when the collector engages the panwith power on or .power oil, a switch to close the normally open powercircuit and maintain it. closed regardless of the length of time thecollector engages the pan and provided with means to maintain the switchclosed a predetermined time after the collector leaves the pan and aswitch normally closing one of the circuits to the track switch andprovided with means to open the switch .a predetermined time after thenormally open switch is closed irrespective of whether the collector isin engagement with the pan or not. 7

12. In a switch operating system the combination, of a trolleyconductor, a pan having a pair of contact members to be connected by acurrent collector, an electrically operated track switch, a branchedpower circuit supplying power from the trolley conductor to the trackswitch, an electrically operated switch controlling the branched powercircuit to operate the track switch in the desired direction when thecontact members are engaged by the current collector with .power on orpower oil, the operating means for said controlling switch comprising acoil connected to the trolley conductor and to one of the contactmembers,

an electrically operated normally open switch controlling the powercircuit, the operating means for said switch having a connection to theother contact member and a ground connection to close the switch whilethe collector engages the contact members, and a circuit to be closedfrom the first mentioned contact member to the trolley conductor by thenormally open switch when the switch closes the power circuit and meansto open one of the branch circuits when the normally open switch hasbeen closed for a predetermined time.

13. In a switch operating system the combination, of a trolleyconductor, a pan having a pair of contact members to be electricallyconnected by a current collector, an electrically operated track switch,a normally open branched power circuit supplying power to the trackswitch to operate it cesired when the collector engages the contactmembers with ,power on or power oli', an electrically operated switch tocontrol the branched power circuit, an electrically operated normallyopen switch to close the power circuit and connectone of the contactmembers to the trolley conductor when the collector engages the contactmembers, and means to control the opening of one of the branch circuit-safter the normally open switch has closed.

14. In a switch operating system the combination, of an electricallyoperated t'ack switch, a trolley p an, a trolley conductor, a normallyopen branched power circuit connected to the track switch to energizethe same, a selector switch interposed in the power circuit to con-trolthe direction of operation of the track switch when the pan is engagedby a current collector, operating means for said selector switchconnected to the trolley conductor and the pan and a switch to close thenormally open power circuit and place a shunt about the said operatingmeans when the pan is engaged by the current collector and to maintainthe power circuit closed and the said shunt regardless of the length oftime the collector engages the pan to prevent the selector switch beingoperated and change the position of the track switch.

15. In a switch operating system the combination, of a contact pan to beengaged by a current collector, a trolley conductor, an electricallyoperated track switch, a power circuit leading to the track switch, anelectrically operated selector switch for conclosed regardless ofthetime the collector engages the pan, the normally open switchoperating to also prevent operation of the selector switch while thenormally open switch is closed.

bination, of a trolley conductor, a pan to be engaged by a currentcollector, an electrically operated track switch, a normally openbranched power circuit for energizing the track switch and move it toeither of its positions when the collector engages the pan with poweroff or power on, an electrically operated selector switch to control thebranched power circuit, an electrically operated normally open switch toclose the power circuit and maintain it closed while the collectorengages the pan and regardless of the length of time engaged, and meansto shunt the selector switch while the normally open switch remainsclosed.

17. A switch operating system comprising in combination, an electricallyoperated track switch arranged to be controlled by a moving vehicle withpower on and power off the motors, electrically operated means tocontrol the directional operation of the track switch and means todeprive the electrically operated means of current after it has operatedthe electrically operated means with power on.

18. A switch operating system comprising in combination, an electricallyoperated track switch arranged to be controlled by a moving vehicle withpower on or power off the motors, a power circuit with branches leadingto the track switch, electrically operated means to control the currentin the branch circuits and the directional operation of the trackswitch, a coil to operate the said means and means to deprive said coilof current after the system has worked power on.

19. A switch operating system controlled by the movement of a carcomprising in combination, an electrically operated track switch, abranched operating circuit, a controlling switch therefor having anoperating and a holding coil, and means to de-energize the operatingcoil after it has functioned to operate the controlling switch andmaintain it de-energized while the car is cooperating with the system.

20. A switch operating system comprising in combination, an electricallyoperated track switch, a branched operating circuit, a controllingswitch therefor to position the branch circuits relative to theoperating circuit and having an operating coil and means to deenergizethe coil after it has functioned to operate the controlling switch.

21. A switch operating system comprising in combination, an electricallyoperated track switch, a branched operating circuit, a controllingswitch therefor to position the branch circuits relative to the peratingcircuit and having an operating coil and means to prevent the energizingof the coil.

'22. A switch operating system'comprising in combination, anelectrically operated 16. In a switch operating system the comtrackswitch, abra-nched operating circuit, acontrolling switch therefor toposition said branch circuits having an operating coil and electricallyoperated means to energizing of the coil.

23. Aswitch operating system comprising in combination, an electricallyoperated track switch, a branched operating circuit, a controllingswitch therefor having an operating coil to position the switch relativeto the branch circuits and electrically operated means controlled by amoving car to prevent the energizing of the coil.

24:. A switch operating system comprising an electrically operated trackswitch, a branched operating circuit therefor, a controlling switch forpositioning said branched circuits and having an operating coil andconnections to said coil and electrically controllled means to controlthe circuit to'said CO1 25. A switch operating system comprising incombination, an electrically operated track switch arranged to beoperated by a moving vehicle with power on or power off the motors,electrically operated means to control the directional operation of thetrack switch, means to prevent the flow of current to the electricallyoperated means to operate the same after the track switch has beenpositioned and means to prevent the flow of current to the track switchafter a predetermined time.

26. A switch operating system comprising in combination, an electricallyoperated track switch arranged to be operated by a moving vehicle withpower on or power oi the motors, electrically operated means to controlthe directional operation of the track switch and means to prevent acurrent flowing to the electrically operated means to operate the sameafter the track switch has been operated with power off.

27. A switch operating system comprisin in combination, an electricallyoperate track switch, a branched operating circuit, an electricallyoperated switch to position said branch circuits, means to position saidelectrically operated switch comprising a coil and operating circuittherefor to operate said electrically operated switch with power on themotors and means to prevent current flowing through the coil after thetrack switch has been operated with power off the motors.

28. In an electrical switch operating system, the combination of adivided track switch operating circuit, a selector switch thereforhaving an operating coil, a switch for controlling one of the branchesof the track switch operating circuit, electrically operated means tonormally maintain the control switch in the branch circuit closedprevent the and Op n -l 1 e ntlTQl$W Qh i he br circuit after a.predetermined lapse of time.

29- n a syst m for oper t n a sw tc m a t olley W re with --P W 0,1 andpowe 11' a erei des i ed. he ommation with a gelector switch thereforand its operating coil of a control switch electrically erated y the wrenfi f om-th l ey and leads from the control switch direct to theopposite terminals of the operating coil and 10 forming a normally opencircuit and arranged to be closed by the control switch to render theselector switch inoperative.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

SAMUEL S. STOLP.

